Electronic device and operating method therefor

ABSTRACT

Disclosed in various examples of the present invention are a method and a device for enabling a system function using a system button to be used according to a user input, when displaying a picture related to an application through the entire area of a display without displaying a system button (provided transparently or translucently). According to various examples of the present invention, an electronic device comprises a display, a memory, and a processor electrically connected to the display and the memory, wherein the processor can be configured so as to sense, on the display, a user input through a touch region including the system button, identify the user input, and execute a system function by means of the system button or an application function according to the user input in the touch area including the system button. Various examples are possible.

PRIORITY

This application is a National Phase Entry of International ApplicationNo. PCT/KR2017/005894, which was filed on Jun. 7, 2017, and claimspriority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0081215, which wasfiled on Jun. 28, 2016, the contents of each of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and anapparatus which distinguish between a function by means of a system anda function by means of an application according to a type of user inputin an electronic device, and process the functions.

BACKGROUND ART

With the recent enhancement of digital technology, various types ofelectronic devices such as mobile communication terminals, smart phones,tablet personal computers (PCs), notebook PCs, wearable devices, or thelike are widely used.

An electronic device provides at least one system button (or key) forimmediately executing a specific function. The system button mayinclude, for example, a button for immediately executing a function,such as a recent list viewing function, a home screen returningfunction, a previous screen returning function, or the like. The systembutton may be separately provided on a bezel of an electronic device asa physical (or hardware) button, or may be provided inside a display (orscreen) of an electronic device as a software button according to a typeof an electronic device, and may be provided to operate according to atouch input.

In the case of an electronic device that provides a system buttonthrough a certain region (for example, a lower end region of a display)of a display, the electronic device provides a full screen on the entireregion of the display to use a larger screen. For example, theelectronic device may hide the system button from the screen to use thefull screen, when displaying a screen related to a specific operation(for example, a video play screen, a game screen, or the like).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Technical Objects

However, a user can use the full screen, but should perform anadditional interaction with an electronic device to display the hiddensystem button to use a function corresponding to the system button. Forexample, the user may perform a set gesture-based input, or may use aset external button to display the hidden system button on the screen,and may execute a function by means of the system button afterperforming an additional input on the displayed system button.

Various embodiments disclose a method and an apparatus in an electronicdevice providing a system button in a display, which can distinguish auser input when displaying a screen related to a specific operation (forexample, an executed application) on the entire region of the display(for example, displaying a full screen), without displaying the systembutton, and can more easily execute a function by means of the hiddensystem button according to a user input.

Various embodiments disclose a method and an apparatus which candistinguish a user input when displaying a screen related to a specificoperation on a full screen (a state in which a system button isprocessed transparently and is not displayed, or the system button isdisplayed translucently), and can execute a function related to thehidden system button or a function related to the executed specificoperation according to a user input.

Technical Solving Means

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device may include: a display; a memory; and a processorelectrically connected with the display and the memory, and theprocessor may be configured to detect a user input through a touchregion comprising a system button on the display, to identify the userinput, and to execute a system function by means of the system button oran application function according to the user input on the touch regioncomprising the system button.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an operatingmethod of an electronic device may include: displaying an application ona full screen; detecting a user input through a touch region comprisinga system button on the full screen; identifying the user input; andexecuting a system function by means of the system button or anapplication function according to the user input on the touch regioncomprising the system button.

To achieve the above-mentioned objects, various embodiments of thepresent disclosure may include a computer readable recording mediumwhich records a program for executing the above-described method in aprocessor.

Advantageous Effect

According to an electronic device and an operating method thereofaccording to various embodiments, in an electronic device providing asystem button in a display, a screen related to a specific operation maybe displayed through the entire region of the display without displayingthe system button (for example, displaying a full screen). According tovarious embodiments, even when the system button is not displayed, afunction related to the system button or a function related to theexecuted specific operation can be more easily performed according to auser input. According to various embodiments, usability, convenience,and competitiveness of the electronic device can be enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of anelectronic device according to various embodiments;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views illustrating a system button in an electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a systembutton in an electronic device according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an example of an operation ofdistinguishing a user input based on a hidden system button in anelectronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method by means of ahidden system button in an electronic device according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing functionsdistinguished by distinguishing user inputs in an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

BEST MODE FOR EMBODYING THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should beappreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure and theterms used therein are not intended to limit the technological featuresset forth herein to particular embodiments, and include variousmodifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives for a correspondingembodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similarreference numerals may be used to refer to similar elements. Inaddition, embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are proposedfor description and understanding of the disclosed technical features,and do not limit the scope of the technology disclosed in the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should beinterpreted as including all changes based on the technical concept ofthe present disclosure or various other embodiments.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an electronicdevice which provides a system button (or key) through a display, and anoperating method therefor. Various embodiments disclose a method and anapparatus in an electronic device providing a system button in adisplay, which enable a system function by means of the system button tobe used according to a user input, even when displaying a screen relatedto a specific operation (for example, an executed application) throughthe entire region of the display (for example, displaying a fullscreen), without displaying the system button. According to variousembodiments, an electronic device can distinguish a user input whendisplaying a screen related to a specific operation on a full screen,and can control a function related to a hidden system button or afunction related to the executed specific operation more simply and moreeasily according to the user input.

In various embodiments, an electronic device may include all devicesusing one or more of various processors, such as an applicationprocessor (AP), a communication processor (CP), a graphic processingunit (GPU), and a central processing unit (CPU). For example, theelectronic device may include all information and communication device,multimedia devices, wearable devices, and internet of things (IoT)devices, including a system button through a display and including aninput device (for example, a force sensor or the like) capable ofdetecting an additional user input, and an application device therefor.

An electronic device according to various embodiments may include atleast one of, for example, smartphones, tablet personal computers (PCs),mobile phones, video telephones, electronic book readers, laptop PCs,netbook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portablemultimedia players (PMPs), Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 orMPEG-2) Audio Layer 3 (MP3) players, mobile medical devices, or cameras.According to some embodiments, the electronic devices may include atleast one of, for example, televisions (TVs), digital video disk (DVD)players, audios, refrigerators, air conditioners, cleaners, ovens,microwave ovens, washing machines, air cleaners, set-top boxes, homeautomation control panels, media boxes (for example, Samsung HomeSync™,Apple TV™, or Google TV™), game consoles (for example, Xbox™ andPlayStation™), electronic dictionaries, electronic keys, camcorders, orelectronic picture frames.

According to another embodiment, the electronic devices may include atleast one of medical devices (for example, various portable medicalmeasurement devices (for example, a blood glucose monitoring device, aheartbeat measuring device, a blood pressure measuring device, a bodytemperature measuring device, and the like)), navigation devices, globalnavigation satellite systems (GNSS), vehicle infotainment devices,electronic equipment for vessels (for example, navigation systems andgyrocompasses), head units for vehicles, industrial or home robots,drones, or points of sales (POSs) of stores. According to someembodiments, the electronic devices may include at least one offurniture, a part of buildings/structures or cars, electronic boards,electronic signature receiving devices, or various measuring instruments(for example, water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, or wavemeters, and the like). According to various embodiments, the electronicdevices may be flexible or may be a combination of two or more devicesof the above-mentioned devices. Also, electronic devices according tovarious embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned devices.

In addition, according to various embodiments, the term “user” may referto a person who uses the electronic device or a device that uses theelectronic device (for example, an artificial intelligence electronicdevice).

At least part of a device (for example, modules or functions thereof) ora method (for example, operations) according to various embodiments, forexample, may be implemented by instructions stored in acomputer-readable recording medium (for example, a memory) in the formof a program module. When the instruction is executed by a processor,one or more processors may perform a function corresponding to theinstruction.

The computer-readable recording media may include a hard disk, a floppydisk, magnetic media (for example, a magnetic tape), optical recordingmedia (for example, compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and a digitalversatile disc (DVD), magneto-optical media (for example, a flopticaldisk)), or an internal memory. The instruction may include a codegenerated by a compiler or a code executable using an interpreter. Amodule or a program module according to various embodiments may includeat least one of the above elements, or a portion of the above elementsmay be omitted, or additional other elements may be further included.Operations performed by a module, a program module, or other elementsaccording to various embodiments may be executed sequentially, inparallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic method, or a portion ofoperations may be executed in different sequences, omitted, or otheroperations may be added.

Hereinafter, an operating method and an apparatus according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings. However, since various embodiments of thepresent disclosure are not restricted or limited by the descriptionspresented below, it should be noted that the descriptions are applicableto various embodiments based on the embodiments presented below. Invarious embodiments of the present disclosure described hereinafter, ahardware-wise approach method will be described by way of an example.However, since various embodiments of the present disclosure includetechnology using both hardware and software, various embodiments of thepresent disclosure do not exclude software-based approach methods.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of anelectronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 according to variousembodiments may include, for example, a wireless communication unit 110,a user input unit 120, a touch screen 130, a force detector 135, anaudio processor 140, a memory 150, an interface 160, a camera module170, a controller 180 (for example, a processor including a processingcircuitry), and a power supply 190. In various embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the electronic device 100 may include more elementsor fewer elements than in FIG. 1 since the elements illustrated in FIG.1 are not essential. For example, the electronic device 100 according tovarious embodiments may not include some elements such as the wirelesscommunication unit 110 or the camera module 170 according to a type ofthe electronic device 100.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modulesenabling wireless communication between the electronic device 100 andanother electronic device. For example, the wireless communication unit110 may include a mobile communication module 111, a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) module 113, a short-range communication module 115, and alocation calculation module 117. In various embodiments, the wirelesscommunication unit 110 may include a module (for example, a short-rangecommunication module, a long-range communication module) to communicatewith a surrounding external electronic device.

The mobile communication module 111 may include, for example, a cellularmodule. The mobile communication module 111 may exchange a wirelesssignal with at least one of a base station, an external electronicdevice, or various servers (for example, an application server, amanagement server, an integration server, a provider server, a contentserver, an Internet server, or a cloud server) on a mobile communicationnetwork. The wireless signal may include a voice signal, a data signal,or various types of control signals. The mobile communication module 111may transmit various data necessary for operations of the electronicdevice 100 to an external electronic device in response to a userrequest.

The WLAN module 113 may indicate a module for accessing wirelessInternet and forming a WLAN link with another electronic device. TheWLAN module 113 may be embedded in the electronic device 100 or may beprovided outside the electronic device 100. As wireless Internettechnology, wireless fidelity (WiFi), wireless gigabit alliance (WiGig),wireless broadband (Wibro), world interoperability for microwave access(WiMax), high speed downlink packet access (HSPDA), or millimeter wave(mmWave) may be used. The WLAN module 113 may interwork with an externalelectronic device connected with the electronic device 100 through anetwork (for example, a wireless Internet network), and may transmitvarious data of the electronic device 100 to the external electronicdevice, or may receive data from the external electronic device. TheWLAN module 113 may be always maintained in an on-state or may be turnedon/off according to setting of the electronic device 100 or a userinput.

The short-range communication module 115 may indicate a module forperforming short range communication. As short-range communicationtechnology, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE), radio frequencyidentification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband(UWB), zigBee, near field communication (NFC), or the like may be used.The short-range communication module 115 may interwork with an externalelectronic device connected with the electronic device 100 through anetwork (for example, a short-range communication network), and maytransmit various data of the electronic device 100 to the externalelectronic device, or may receive data from the external electronicdevice. The short-range communication module 115 may be alwaysmaintained in an on-state, or may be turned on/off according to settingof the electronic device 100 or a user input.

The location calculation module 117 is a module for obtaining a locationof the electronic device 100, and may include a GPS module as arepresentative example. The location calculation module 117 may measurethe location of the electronic device 100 based on the principle oftriangulation. Location information of the electronic device 100 may beobtained by various methods.

The user input unit 120 may generate input data for controlling anoperation of the electronic device 100 in response to a user input. Theuser input unit 120 may include at least one input device for detectinguser's various inputs. For example, the user input unit 120 may includea key pad, a dome switch, a physical button, a touch pad(resistive/capacitive), a jog & shuttle, a sensor, and the like.According to an embodiment, the user input unit 120 may include anelectronic pen. According to an embodiment, the user input unit 120 maybe implemented to receive an input of a force touch. According to anembodiment, the user input unit 120 may include a software button (forexample, a system button).

According to various embodiments, the sensor may measure a physicalquantity or detect an operation state of the electronic device 100, andmay convert measured or detected information into an electric signal.The sensor may include, for example, a force sensor, an iris scansensor, a fingerprint scan sensor, an image sensor, an illuminancesensor, or the like. In addition, the sensor may include at least one ofa gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor,an acceleration sensor, a terrestrial sensor, a motion recognitionsensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor (for example,red, green, blue (RGB) sensor), a medical sensor (for example, a heartrate sensor), a temperature-humidity sensor, a ultra violet (UV) sensor,or a heart rate monitor (HRM) sensor. In addition, the sensor mayinclude, for example, an E-nose sensor, an electromyography (EMG)sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG)sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a barometer sensor, or the like.

A part of the user input unit 120 may be implemented in the form of anexternal button of the electronic device 100, and a part or entirety ofthe user input unit 120 may be implemented as a touch panel. The userinput unit 120 may receive a user input to initiate an operation of theelectronic device 10 (for example, a power on/off function, an audioplay function, a system button displaying/hiding function, or a fullscreen display function), and may generate an input signal according tothe user input.

The touch screen 130 indicates an input/output device which performs aninput function and a display (output) function, simultaneously, and mayinclude a display 131 and a touch detector 133. The touch screen 130 mayprovide an input/output interface for an interaction between theelectronic device 100 and the user. The touch screen 130 may include amediator role for transmitting a user's touch input to the electronicdevice 100, and for showing an output from the electronic device 100 tothe user. The touch screen 130 may show a visual output to the user. Thevisual output may be displayed in the form of a text, a graphic, or avideo, or a combination thereof.

The display 131 may display (output) a variety of information processedin the electronic device 100. The display 131 may display various userinterfaces (UIs) or graphic UIs (GUIs) related to the use of theelectronic device 100. According to various embodiments, the display 131may display a partial screen including and displaying a system button,and may display an application screen on a full screen by processing thesystem button transparently (or translucently) (for example, by hidingthe system button). For example, the display 131 may process the systembutton transparently or translucently, and may provide an effect ofhiding the system button from the display 131 or displaying the systembutton to look translucent. According to various embodiments, when thesystem button is processed transparently (or hidden), the display 131may not display the system button.

Various displays may be used for the display 131. For example, thedisplay 131 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emittingdiode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS) display, an electronic paperdisplay, or the like. Some displays may be implemented by a transparentdisplay including a transparent type of display or a photo-transparenttype of display. In various embodiments, a bended display or a flexibledisplay may be used for the display 131.

The touch detector 133 may be mounted in the display 131, and may detecta user input contacting or approaching a surface of the touch screen130. The user input may include a touch input or a proximity inputinputted based on at least one of a single touch, a multi-touch,hovering, or an air gesture. The touch detector 133 may receive a userinput for initiating an operation related to use of the electronicdevice 100 according to various embodiments, and may generate an inputsignal according to the user input. The touch detector 133 may beconfigured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portionof the display 131, or in capacitance generated at a specific portion ofthe display 131 into an electric input signal. The touch detector 133may detect a location and an area of a portion on the surface of thedisplay 131 that an input tool (for example, a user finger, anelectronic pen) touches or approaches. In addition, the touch detector133 may be implemented to detect a pressure (for example, a force touch)when the user touches according to an applied touch method.

The force detector 135 may be disposed on a lower end of the display131. According to various embodiments, the force detector 135 may beattached to the display 131 or may be directly formed on one surface ofthe display 131. The force detector 135 may be implemented to include,for example, a force sensor (not shown) and/or a force sensor integratedcircuit (IC) (not shown). The force detector 135 may detect a pressureby a self-capacitance method or a mutual capacitance method. In variousembodiments, the force detector 135 may detect a force touch out of userinputs (for example, a touch, a force touch), and may transmit acorresponding force signal to the controller 180. According to variousembodiments, the force detector 135 may detect a force signal (forexample, pressure coordinates, an intensity of pressure) caused by anexternal electronic pen.

According to various embodiments, the touch detector 133 and the forcedetector 135 are detectors for detecting various user inputs such as afirst input (for example, a force touch) and a second input (forexample, a normal touch), and may be included in the touch screen 130.

The audio processor 140 may transmit an audio signal received from thecontroller 180 to a speaker (SPK) 141, and may transmit an audio signalreceived from a microphone (MIC) 143, such as a voice, to the controller180. The audio processor 140 may convert voice/sound data into anaudible sound under control the controller 180, and output the soundthrough the speaker 141, and may convert an audio signal received fromthe microphone 143, such as a voice, into a digital signal, and maytransmit the digital signal to the controller 180.

The speaker 141 may output audio data which is received from thewireless communication unit 110, or is stored in the memory 150. Thespeaker 141 may output sound signals related to various operations(functions) performed in the electronic device 100.

The microphone 143 may receive an external sound signal and may processthe sound signal into electric voice data. The microphone 143 may havevarious noise reduction algorithms implemented to remove a noisegenerated in the process of receiving the external sound signal. Themicrophone 143 may serve to input audio streaming such as a voicecommand.

The memory 150 may store one or more programs executable by thecontroller 180, and may temporarily store inputted/outputted data. Theinputted/outputted data may include, for example, a file such as avideo, an image, a photo, or an audio. The memory 150 may serve to storeobtained data. The memory 150 may store data obtained in real time in atemporary storage device, and may store data confirmed to be stored in astorage device which stores data for long time.

The memory 150 may store one or more programs, data, or instructionsrelated to the controller 180 (for example, a processor) displaying ascreen related to an application through the entire region of thedisplay 131 (for example, displaying a full screen), without displayinga system button, and enabling a system function of the system button tobe used according to a user input even when the system button is notdisplayed. According to various embodiments, the memory 150 may storeone or more programs, data, or instructions related to operations ofdisplaying an execution screen of an application without displaying asystem button, detecting a user input on a region overlapping theundisplayed system button, identifying the user input, and processing asystem function or an application function in the region overlapping thesystem button according to the user input.

The memory 150 may include one or more application modules (or softwaremodules). The memory 150 may store one or more pieces of referenceinformation for distinguishing a user input according to variousembodiments. For example, the reference information may include inputlevels for distinguishing various inputs, such as a first input (forexample, a force touch), a second input (for example, a touch), a thirdinput (for example, a force long press), a fourth input (for example, along press), a fifth input (for example, a drag) from user inputs. Invarious embodiments, the user input may be divided into a touch-basedinput which is detected through the touch detector 133 of the touchscreen 130, and a force touch-based input which is detected through theforce detector 135. For example, in various embodiments, the user inputmay be broadly divided into the force-touch based first input and thetouch-based second input, and the third input may be detected from thedistinguished first input, and the fourth input or the fifth input maybe detected from the distinguished second input.

The interface 160 may receive data from another electronic device, orreceive power, and may transmit data or power to the respective elementsof the electronic device 100. The interface 160 may allow data insidethe electronic device 100 to be transmitted to another electronicdevice. For example, the interface 160 may include a wired/wirelessheadphone port, an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, amemory card port, an audio input/output port, a video input/output port,or an earphone port.

The camera module 170 indicates an element supporting a photographingfunction of the electronic device 100. The camera module 170 mayphotograph a certain subject under control of the controller 180, andmay transmit photographed data (for example, an image) to the display131 and the controller 180.

The controller 180 (for example, a processor) may control an overalloperation of the electronic device 100. In various embodiments, thecontroller 180 may include one or more processors, or the controller 180may be called a processor. For example, the controller 180 may include aCP, an AP, an interface (for example, a general purpose input/output(GPIO)), or an internal memory as a separate element, or may beintegrated into one or more integrated circuits. According to anembodiment, the AP may execute various software programs and performvarious functions for the electronic device 100, and the CP may performprocessing and controlling for voice communication and datacommunication. In addition, the controller 180 may execute a specificsoftware module (for example, an instruction set) stored in the memory150, and may perform specific various functions corresponding to themodule.

In various embodiments, the controller 180 may control an operation of ahardware module such as the audio processor 140, the interface 150, thedisplay 131, or the camera module 170. According to various embodiments,the controller 180 may be electrically connected with the display 131and the memory 150 of the electronic device 100.

According to various embodiments, the controller 180 may receive a touchsignal (for example, a location signal (for example, coordinates (x,y))from the touch detector 133, and may receive a force signal (forexample, a pressure coordinate (z) or an intensity of pressure (z)) fromthe force detector 135 (for example, a force sensor). According to anembodiment, the controller 180 may synchronize the touch signal of thetouch detector 133 and the force signal of the force detector 135 witheach other. For example, the touch signal may be detected when thedisplay 131 is touched by a user, and may be generated without a forcesignal. On the other hand, the force signal may be detected when thedisplay 131 is touched by a user and is pressed down (for example, whenpressure is applied in the direction of gravity), and the force signalis not generated without a touch signal. Accordingly, when the forcesignal is generated, the controller 180 may synchronize the touch signaland the force signal with each other, and may process them as one input.

According to various embodiments, the controller 180 may receive a touchsignal (for example, a location signal, coordinates) of an externalelectronic pen detected at the touch detector 133, and may receive aforce signal (for example, a pressure coordinate, an intensity ofpressure) by the external electronic pen detected at the force detector135. The controller 180 may synchronize the touch signal of theelectronic pen and the force signal of the electronic pen, and mayprocess them as one input.

According to various embodiments, the controller 180 may controloperations of displaying a screen related to an application through theentire region of the display 131 without displaying a system button (forexample, displaying a full screen), and of enabling a system function ofthe system button to be used according to a user input even when thesystem button is not displayed. According to various embodiments, thecontroller 180 may control an operation of detecting a user input on aregion of the display 131 overlapping with the undisplayed systembutton, an operation of identifying the user input, and an operation ofprocessing a system function or an application function in the regionoverlapping the system button according to the user input.

According to various embodiments, the controller 180 may detect a userinput by means of a system button region (for example, a touch regionincluding a system button) of the display 131, and may determine whetherthe user input is a first input for a system function or a second inputfor an application function, in response to the user input beingdetected on the system button region. According to an embodiment, inresponse to the first input, the controller 180 may control to execute asystem function based on a system button of a location where the userinput is detected, and to display a relevant screen through the display131. According to an embodiment, in response to the second input, thecontroller 180 may control to execute an application function based onan object of the location where the user input is detected, and todisplay a relevant screen through the display 131.

The control operation of the controller 180 according to variousembodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The power supply 190 may receive external power or internal power undercontrol of the controller 180, and may supply power necessary foroperations of the respective elements. In various embodiments, the powersupply 190 may supply or shut off (on/off) power to the wirelesscommunication unit 110, the display 131, and the camera module 170, orthe like under control of the controller 180. According to anembodiment, the power supply 190 may include, for example, a batterycontrol circuit. For example, the power supply 190 may include a battery(for example, a rechargeable battery and/or a solar battery), a batteryremaining capacity measurement circuit (for example, a fuel gauge), apower management integrated circuit (PMIC), a charging circuit, abooster circuit, or the like.

As described above, the electronic device according to variousembodiments may include: the display 131, the memory 150, and aprocessor (for example, the controller 180) electrically connected withthe display 131 and the memory 150, and the processor 180 may beconfigured to detect a user input through a touch region (for example,the system button region 200) including a system button 210, 220, 230 onthe display 131, to identify the user input, and to execute a systemfunction by means of the system button 210, 220, 230 or an applicationfunction according to the user input on the touch region (for example,the system button region 200) including the system button 210, 220, 230.

According to various embodiments, the processor may be configured todetect a user input on the touch region of the display, to determinewhether the user input is a first input for the system function or asecond input for the application function, in response to the user inputbeing detected on the touch region, and, when the user input is thefirst input, to execute the system function corresponding to a systembutton of a location where the user input is detected, and to display arelevant screen, and, when the user input is the second input, toexecute the application function based on an object of the locationwhere the user input is detected, and to display a relevant screen.

According to various embodiments, the system button may be providedtransparently or translucently on the touch region.

According to various embodiments, when a first sensing value by a touchdetector is detected and a second sensing value by a force detector isdetected, the processor may be configured to identify the user input asthe first input based on the second sensing value.

According to various embodiments, when a first sensing value by a touchdetector is detected, the processor may be configured to identify theuser input as the second input based on the first sensing value.

According to various embodiments, the system button may include one ormore software buttons to view a recent list, to return to a home screen,or to return to a previous screen.

According to various embodiments, in response to execution of anapplication being detected, the processor may be configured to determinewhether the application is in a mode in which the application operateson a full screen of the display, or in a mode in which the applicationoperates on a partial screen of the display.

According to various embodiments, the processor may be configured tocontrol to show or hide the system button based on various inputs.

According to various embodiments, when the user input on the touchregion comprising the system button is a force touch, the processor maybe configured to determine to process an operation by means of thesystem button in response to the user input, and to execute anothersystem function by means of one system button in response to an inputmethod of the user input on the system button.

According to various embodiments, the processor may be configured todetermine whether the force touch is changed, and, when the force touchis not changed, the processor is configured to execute a first functionby means of the system button, and, when the force touch is changed, toexecute a second function by means of the system button.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views illustrating a system button in an electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIG. 2A illustrates an example in which asystems button (or system key) 210, 220, 230 of a system button region200 is displayed along with a first screen (for example, an applicationexecution screen) through the display 131 of the electronic device 100,and FIG. 2B illustrates an example in which the system button 210, 220,230 of the system button region 200 is transparent and thus is notdisplayed, or is displayed translucently through the display 131 of theelectronic device 100, and a second screen (for example, an applicationexecution screen) is displayed as a full screen through the entireregion of the display 131.

In various embodiments, the system button region 200 is a touch regionwhich is allocated the system button 210, 220, 230, and may beimplemented independently from an application execution screen (forexample, as a separate layer), and may provide the system button 210,220, 230.

In various embodiments, the system button 210, 220, 230 may indicate oneor more buttons (or keys) for executing a system function which is setto be operated by a user operation at any time even while variousoperations of the electronic device 100 are being executed, for example,set to be globally operated. In various embodiments, the system button210, 220, 230 may be a software button and may be displayed through thedisplay 131 of the electronic device 100.

According to various embodiments, the system button 210, 220, 230 mayinclude, for example, a first button 210 for a system function ofviewing a recent list, a second button 220 for a system function ofreturning to the home screen, or a third button 230 for a systemfunction of returning to a previous screen. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the system button or the systemfunction thereof may be implemented variously and complexly.

According to various embodiments, the first screen or the second screenmay include a screen (for example, a UI, a GUI) executed by variousapplications installed in the electronic device 100 and executable anddisplayable. In various embodiments, the application may include anapplication for the home screen, an application for a menu screen,respective applications for various contents (for example, a game, avideo, a digital broadcast, etc.), a gallery application, an applicationfor photographing, a message application, or the like, and the firstscreen or the second screen may indicate a screen corresponding to anexecuted application.

According to various embodiments, the execution screen of theapplication may be displayed by separating (or dividing) the systembutton region 200 and the first screen (for example, an applicationexecution screen) as shown in FIG. 2A, or by superimposing the systembutton region 200 on the application execution screen in an overlaymethod (for example, displaying a partial screen). For example, thefirst screen of the application and the system button 210, 220, 230 ofthe system button region 200 are displayed altogether as shown in FIG.2A. In this case, a system function (for example, viewing a recent list,returning to the home screen, or returning to a previous screen) may beimmediately executed according to a user input by means of the systembutton region 200 where the system button 210, 220, 230 is located.

According to various embodiments, to prevent the execution screen of theapplication from being covered, the system button 210, 220, 230 of thesystem button region 200 may be displayed on the display 131transparently or translucently, and the second screen (for example, anapplication execution screen) may be displayed as a full screen by usingthe entire region as shown in FIG. 2B. According to various embodiments,when the system button 210, 220, 230 of the system button region 200 isprovided transparently or translucently, the system button may notoperate by a normal input (for example, a touch), and may operate by aninput which is set to operate the system button (for example, a forcetouch).

According to an embodiment, an execution screen of an application (forexample, a video play application, a game application, or the like)operating based on the full screen may be displayed through the entireregion of the display 131, and the system button 210, 220, 230 of thesystem button region 200 may be processed transparently and may not bedisplayed on the display 131. According to another embodiment, when theexecution screen of the application operating based on the full screenis displayed, the system button 210, 220, 230 of the system buttonregion 220 may be provided translucently.

According to various embodiments, the system button 210, 220, 230 may behidden from the display 131 by a user operation or automatically (forexample, with reference to time). According to an embodiment, in a stateas shown in FIG. 2A, the system button 210, 220, 230 may be activated(shown)/inactivated (hidden) according to an input for hiding the systembutton 210, 220, 230. For example, the user may select (touch) aspecific location (for example, a hiding button) of the system buttonregion 200, or may perform a user input operation (for example,dragging, flicking, or the like) of moving to a bezel portion 250 of alower end of the display 131 while holding selection (touch) on aspecific location (for example, an empty region) of the system buttonregion 200. In response to the user input, the electronic device 100 mayprocess hiding not to display the system button 210, 220, 230 on thedisplay 131. To the contrary, the system button 210, 220, 230 that isnot displayed on the screen may be processed to be displayed on thedisplay 131 by the inverse operation of the above-described user inputoperation (for example, a user input operation of entering the screenfrom the bezel portion 250 of the lower end of the display 131).

In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, an execution screen relatedto a specific operation (for example, executing an application, enteringa specific screen, etc.) may be displayed through the entire region ofthe display 131 (for example, displaying a full screen), withoutdisplaying the system button 210, 220, 230.

According to various embodiments, a system function related to thesystem button 210, 220, 230 may be enabled to be used according to auser input even when the system button 210, 220, 230 is not displayed.For example, according to various embodiments, the electronic device 100may distinguish a user input (for example, a force touch, a touch) whiledisplaying an execution screen related to a specific operation on a fullscreen, and may enable a function related to the hidden system button210, 220, 230, or a function related to the executed specific operationto be controlled more simply and more easily according to a user input.That is, in various embodiments, the system button 210, 220, 230 may beenabled to be always manipulated (for example, to execute a systemfunction) even when the system button 210, 220, 230 disappears.

According to an embodiment, even when the system button 210, 220, 230 isnot displayed as shown in FIG. 2B, if a user presses a location wherethe system button 210, 220, 230 has been located using a force (forexample, a force input), a force signal related to the system button210, 220, 230 may be transmitted and the system button 210, 220, 230 mayoperate, and a system function related to the corresponding systembutton may be executed. In addition, in various embodiments, by touchinga location where the system button 210, 220, 230 has been located, atouch signal associated with the execution screen of the application maybe transmitted, and a function related to the application may beexecuted. According to various embodiments, since the force signal andthe touch signal are distinguished, the system function and theapplication-associated function may be independently processed, withoutcolliding with each other, according to a user input on an overlappingregion (for example, a location of the system button region 200) betweenthe system button 210, 220, 230 and the execution screen of theapplication, while the system button 210, 220, 230 is hidden.

Hereinafter, a specific operation of distinguishing a user input on thehidden system button region 200, and processing a system function or anapplication-associated function based on the distinguished user inputaccording to various embodiments will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, in operation 301, the controller 180 (for example,a processor) of the electronic device 100 may display an executionscreen. When a user input (operation) for executing a specificapplication is detected, the controller 180 may execute thecorresponding application. According to various embodiments, theapplication may include various applications which are installed in theelectronic device and are executable and displayable, such as anapplication for the home screen, an application for a menu screen,respective applications for various contents (for example, a game, avideo, digital broadcasting, or the like), a gallery application, anapplication for photographing, a message application, or the like. Inresponse to the application being executed, the controller 180 maycontrol to display the execution screen (for example, a UI, a GUI)related to the executed application through the display 131. Accordingto various embodiments, the controller 180 may provide the system button210, 220, 230 transparently or translucently when displaying theexecution screen of the application. According to an embodiment, thecontroller 180 may hide the system button to prevent the executionscreen from being covered, and may not display the system button on thedisplay 131.

In operation 303, the controller 180 may detect a user input by means ofthe system button region 200. For example, the controller 180 maydistinguish between an input by means of the system button region 200and an input by means of another region, based on a location on thetouch screen 130 that is touched by a user's finger. According to anembodiment, a user may touch the system button region 200 to perform anoperation associated with the application (for example, selecting anicon, selecting a link, etc.) or to perform an operation (for example, asystem function) associated with the system button 210, 220, 230 on theexecution screen of the application.

In operation 305, the controller 180 may distinguish the user input. Forexample, when the user input on the system button region 200 isdetected, the controller 180 may determine whether the use inputcorresponds to a first input (for example, a force touch) or a secondinput (for example, a touch). According to an embodiment, the controller180 may detect a first sensing value by the touch detector 133, and thenmay detect a second sensing value by the force detector 135 according toone user input (for example, a change in the type of input, touchinput→force input). The controller 180 may identify the user input asthe first input (for example, the force touch) based on the secondsensing value. According to an embodiment, the controller 180 may detectonly the first sensing value by the touch detector 133 according to auser input (for example, a touch input, not a force input). When thesecond sensing value is not detected after the first sensing value isdetected, the controller 180 may identify the user input as the secondinput (for example, the touch) based on the first sensing value.

When it is determined that the user input is the first input (forexample, the force touch) in operation 305, the controller 180 mayprocess a system function by means of the system button 210, 220, or 230in operation 307. For example, the controller 180 may control to executea system function (for example, viewing a recent list, returning to thehome screen, or returning to a previous screen) set for the systembutton 210, 220, or 230 of a location where the user input is detectedby the touch detector 133, and to display a corresponding screen throughthe display 131.

When it is determined that the user input is the second input inoperation 305, the controller 180 may process an application function bymeans of the application in operation 309. For example, the controller180 may control to recognize an object (for example, a link, an icon, amenu, a function button, or the like) of the location where the userinput is detected by the touch detector 133, to execute anapplication-related function associated with the object in response tothe user input, and to display a corresponding screen through thedisplay 131.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a systembutton in an electronic device according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, in operation 401, the controller 180 (for example,a processor) of the electronic device 100 may execute an application.According to various embodiments, the application may include variousapplications which are installed in the electronic device 100 and areexecutable and displayable. The controller 180 may determine (detect) anexecution mode (for example, a full screen mode) of the applicationcorresponding to a user's operation.

In operation 403, the controller 180 may determine whether the executedapplication is using a full screen mode or not. For example, when theexecution of the application is detected, the controller 180 maydetermine an execution mode (or state) of the application, based onwhether the corresponding application is executing a mode for operatingon a full screen of the display 131 (for example, a mode in which thesystem button is processed transparently and is not displayed on thescreen, or is processed translucently and is displayed, and the screenof the application is displayed on the full screen), or whether thecorresponding application displays a certain region (for example, thesystem button region 200) set to include the system button, and operateson a partial screen of the display 131. In various embodiments, thepartial screen may be an execution screen of the application that isdistinguished (divided) from the system button region 200, or mayinclude a screen that is displayed by superimposing the system buttonregion 200 on the execution screen of the application in an overlaymethod.

When the execution mode of the executed application is not based on thefull screen, that is, based on the partial screen, in operation 403 (Noin operation 403), the controller 180 may display the execution screenof the application on the partial screen in operation 407. For example,the controller 180 may control to display the execution screen of theapplication and the system button 210, 220, 230 by means of the systembutton region 200 on the display 131 altogether.

In operation 409, the controller 180 may determine whether to toggle tothe full screen. For example, the controller 180 may determine whetherthere is a request for hiding the system button 210, 220, 230 displayedon the system button region. According to various embodiments, thesystem button 210, 220, 230 may be activated (shown)/inactivated(hidden) based on various inputs. For example, as described above, theuser may perform a user input operation of selecting (touching) thesystem button region 200 and moving to a bezel portion of a lower end ofthe display 131 (for example, dragging, flicking, or the like). Inresponse to the user input, the controller 180 may hide the systembutton 210, 220, 230 not to be displayed on the display 131. To thecontrary, the system button 210, 220, 230 may be processed to bedisplayed on the screen by the inverse operation (for example, a userinput operation of entering the screen from the bezel portion of thelower end of the display 131) of the user input operation on theundisplayed system button 210, 220, 230 described above.

When toggling to the full screen is not detected in operation 409 (No inoperation 409), the controller 180 proceeds to operation 407 to performoperations after operation 407.

When toggling to the full screen is detected in operation 409 (Yes inoperation 409), the controller 180 proceeds to operation 405 to performoperations after operation 405.

When the execution mode of the executed application is based on the fullscreen in operation 403 (Yes in operation 403), the controller 180 maydisplay the execution screen of the application on the full screen inoperation 405. For example, the controller 180 may process to displaythe execution screen of the application through the entire region of thedisplay 131, without displaying the system button 210, 220, 230 throughthe system button region 200 (for example, by hiding the system button).

In operation 411, the controller 180 may detect a user input by means ofthe system button region 200. The controller 180 may distinguish betweenan input by means of the system button region 200 and an input by meansof another region, based on a location on the touch screen 130 that istouched by a user's finger. According to an embodiment, a user may touchthe system button region 200 to perform an operation associated with theapplication (for example, selecting an icon, selecting a link, etc.) orto perform an operation (for example, a system function) associated withthe system button 210, 220, 230 on the execution screen of theapplication.

In operation 413, the controller 160 determine a type of the user input,and in operation 415, may determine whether the user input correspondsto a force touch or a touch. For example, when the system button 210,220, 230 is not displayed, and a user input is detected through acertain region (or coordinates) of the system button region 200 wherethe system button 210, 220, 230 is located, the controller 180 maydetermine whether the corresponding user input is inputted as a forcetouch or a normal touch. According to an embodiment, the controller 180may detect a first sensing value by the touch detector 133, and then maydetect a second sensing value by the force detector 135 according to oneuser input (for example, touch input→force input). The controller 180may determine the user input as a force touch based on the secondsensing value. According to an embodiment, the controller 180 may detectonly the first sensing value by the touch detector 133 according to auser input (for example, a touch input, not a force input). When thesecond sensing value is not detected after the first sensing value isdetected, the controller 180 may determine the user input as a normaltouch based on the first sensing value.

When it is determined that the user input is a force touch in operation415 (Yes in operation 415), the controller 180 may determine to processan operation by means of a system button in response to the user inputin operation 417. For example, the controller 180 may determine toexecute a system function corresponding to the system button accordingto the user input.

In operation 419, the controller 180 may identify the system button ofthe region (location, coordinates) corresponding to the user input. Forexample, the controller 180 may determine the system button 210, 220, or230 of the location where the user input is detected by the touchdetector 133, or a system function corresponding to the system button.

In operation 421, the controller 180 may process the system functioncorresponding to the system button. For example, the controller 180 maycontrol to execute the system function (for example, viewing a recentlist, returning to the home screen, or returning a previous screen) setaccording to the system button, and to display a corresponding screenthrough the display 131. According to various embodiments, whenprocessing the function by the system button, the controller 180 maydistinguish an input method of the user input (for example, a forcetouch, a force long press (or a long press after a force touch) on thesystem button, and may differently execute the distinguished systemfunction by one system button according to the corresponding inputmethod.

When it is determined that the user input is a touch in operation 415(No in operation 415), the controller 180 may determine to process anoperation by the application in response to the user input in operation423. For example, the controller 180 may determine to execute anapplication function associated with the application which is beingexecuted according to the user input.

In operation 425, the controller 180 may distinguish the user input. Forexample, the controller 180 may identify an object (for example, a link,an icon, a menu, a function button, etc.) of the location where the userinput is detected by the touch detector 133, and also, may distinguishan input method of the user input (for example, a touch, a drag, a longpress, etc.).

In operation 427, the controller 180 may process an application functionrelated to the application according to the user input. For example, thecontroller 180 may control to recognize the object (for example, a link,an icon, a menu, a function button, etc.) of the location where the userinput is detected by the touch detector 133, to execute anapplication-related function associated with the object in response tothe user, and to display a corresponding screen through the display 131.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an example of an operation performed bydistinguishing a user input based on a hidden system button in anelectronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 illustrates an example of operations ofdistinguishing a user input on the hidden system button region 200, andof executing a system function or an application-associated functionbased on the distinguished user input.

As shown in example (A) of FIG. 5, example (A) of FIG. 5 illustrates ascreen of the electronic device 100 on which an application is executedand an execution screen of the executed application is displayed on afull screen of the display 131. In this case, the system button 210,220, 230 may be displayed transparently or translucently. According toan embodiment, as shown in example (A) of FIG. 5, a web page may bedisplayed on the full screen of the display 131. For example, theelectronic device 100 may not display the system button 210, 220, 230through the system button region 200 (for example, hide the systembutton), and may display the execution screen of the web page throughthe entire region of the display 131.

In the state as shown in example (A) of FIG. 5, the electronic device100 may detect a user input by means of the system button region 200.For example, the electronic device 100 may distinguish an input by meansof the system button region 200 and an input by means of another region,based on a location of the touch screen 130 that is touched by a user'sfinger. According to an embodiment, the user may touch the system buttonregion 200 (500) to perform an operation associated with the application(for example, selecting an icon or a link), or to perform an operation(for example, a system function) associated with the system button 210,220, 230 on the execution screen of the web page.

The electronic device 100 may determine a type of the user input, andmay determine whether the user input corresponds to a first input (forexample, a force touch), or a second input (for example, a touch). Forexample, when the system button 210, 220, 230 is not displayed, and theuser input 500 is detected through a certain region (or coordinates) ofthe system button region 200 where the system button 210, 220, 230 hasbeen located, the electronic device 100 may determine whether thecorresponding user input is inputted as a force touch or a normal touch.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 100 detects afirst sensing value by the touch detector 133, and then detects a secondsensing value by the force detector 135 according to the user input (forexample, a touch input→force input), the electronic device 100 maydetermine that the touch 500 of the system button region 200 is thefirst input based on the second sensing value. According to anembodiment, when the electronic device 100 detects only the firstsensing value by the touch detector 133 and then does not detect thesecond sensing value after detecting the first sensing value accordingto a user input (for example, a touch input, not a force input), theelectronic device 100 may determine that the touch 500 of the systembutton region 200 is the second input based on the first sensing value.

When it is determined that the user input 500 is the first input, theelectronic device 100 may identify a system button (for example, thesystem button 220) of the region (location, coordinates) correspondingto the user input 500. For example, the electronic device 100 maydetermine the system button 220 of the location where the user input isdetected by the touch detector 133, or a system function by thecorresponding system button 220. The electronic device 100 may executethe system function (for example, returning to the home screen)corresponding to the system button 220, and may control to display ascreen (for example, the home screen) corresponding the system function(for example, returning to the home screen) through the display 131 asshown in example (B) of FIG. 5.

When it is determined that the user input 500 is the second input, theelectronic device 100 may identify an object (for example, a link) ofthe location where the user input is detected by the touch detector 133.The electronic device 100 may process an application function (forexample, executing a web page according to the link) related to theapplication according to the user input 500. For example, the electronicdevice 100 may control to recognize the object (for example, the link)of the location where the user input is detected by the touch detector133, to execute an application-related function (for example, a web pageaccording to the link) associated with the object in response to theuser input 500, and to display a screen (for example, another web pagescreen) corresponding the application-related function (for example, thelinked web page) through the display 131 as shown in example (C) of FIG.5.

According to various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, when the executionscreen is displayed based on the full screen (example (A) of FIG. 5),and the user input 500 on an object of the execution screen, overlappingthe system button of the system button region 200, is detected, theelectronic device 100 may distinguish the user input, and may processthe system function by means of the system button 210, 220, 230 or theapplication function by means of the object (for example, a link). Forexample, when the user input 500 is inputted as the first input (forexample, a force touch) on the location overlapping the system button210, 220, 230, the electronic device 100 may execute the system functionbased on the system button 210, 220, 230 (for example, example (B) ofFIG. 5), and, when the user input 500 is inputted as the second input(for example, a touch), the electronic device 100 may execute anapplication function based on the object (for example, a link) of theapplication of the corresponding location (for example, example (C) ofFIG. 5).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method by a hiddensystem button in an electronic device according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 601, the controller 180 (for example,a processor) of the electronic device 100 may display an executionscreen of an application on a full screen. For example, the controller180 may process to display the execution screen of the applicationthrough the entire region of the display 131, without displaying thesystem button 210, 220, 230 through the system button region 200 (forexample, by hiding).

In operation 603, the controller 180 may detect a user input. Forexample, a user may touch or do a force touch on a certain region of theexecution screen of the application.

In operation 605, the controller 180 may determine whether the userinput is a force touch or a touch. According to various embodiments,when detecting the user input, the controller 180 may determine whetherthe corresponding user input is inputted as a force touch or a normaltouch. According to an embodiment, the controller 180 may detect a firstsensing value by the touch detector 133 and then may detect a secondsensing value by the force detector 135 according to a user input (forexample, a change in the type of input, touch input→force input). Thecontroller 180 may determine the user input as the force touch based onthe second sensing value. According to an embodiment, the controller 180may detect only the first sensing value by the touch detector 133according to a user input (for example, a touch input, not a forceinput). When the second sensing value is not detected after the firstsensing value is detected, the controller 180 may determine the userinput as the normal touch based on the first sensing value.

When it is determined that the user input is a touch in operation 605(No in operation 605), the controller 180 may process a function relatedto the application in response to the touch in operation 609. Accordingto an embodiment, when the application is a game, the controller 180 mayprocess a first operation related to a game manipulation in response tothe user input. According to an embodiment, when the application is aweb page, the controller 180 may process a first operation of togglingto an execution screen of another web page related to a link, anddisplaying the execution screen in response to the user input. Accordingto an embodiment, when the application is a video play application, thecontroller 180 may process controlling a first function (for example,pause, volume, stop, list display, fast forward, rewind, replay positiondesignation, etc.) related to playing of a corresponding media file (forexample, a video, music, etc.) in response to the user input.

When it is determined that the user input is a force touch in operation605 (Yes in operation 605), the controller 180 may determine a regionwhere the force touch is detected in operation 607, and may determinewhether the region for the force touch corresponds to the system buttonregion 200 in operation 611. For example, the controller 180 maydistinguish an input by the system button region 200 and an input bymeans of another region based on the location on the touch screen 130that is touched by a user's finger.

When it is determined that the user input is the force touch by means ofthe system button region 200 in operation 611 (Yes in operation 611),the controller 180 may process a system function corresponding to thecorresponding system button 210, 220, or 230 of the system button region200 in operation 613. According to an embodiment, when a force touch bymeans of the location of the system button 210 is detected, thecontroller 180 may execute a recent list viewing function set for thesystem button 210, and may process displaying a screen correspondingthereto (for example, displaying a list of recently executedapplications). According to an embodiment, when a force touch by meansof the location of the system button 220 is detected, the controller 180may execute a home screen returning function set for the system button220, and may process displaying a screen (for example, the home screen)corresponding thereto. According to an embodiment, when a force touch bymeans of the location of the system button 230 is detected, thecontroller 180 may execute a previous screen returning function set forthe system button 230, and may process displaying a screen (for example,a previous execution screen or another screen according to exit of theapplication) corresponding thereto.

When it is determined that the user input is not the force touch bymeans of the system button region 200 in operation 611 (No in operation611), that is, the user input is a force touch within the executionscreen region of the application, the controller 180 may process afunction related to the application in response to the force touch inoperation 615. According to an embodiment, the controller 180 mayprocess a function different from the function related to theapplication, performed based on the touch as described above. Accordingto an embodiment, when the application is a game, the controller 180 mayprocess a second operation rather than the first operation related to agame manipulation in response to the user input (force touch). Accordingto an embodiment, when the application is a web page, the controller 180may process another second operation (for example, copying a link,etc.), rather than toggling to an execution screen of another web pagerelated to a link, in response to the user input (force touch).According to an embodiment, when the application is a video playapplication, the controller 180 may process controlling a secondfunction (for example, playing a next list) rather than the firstfunction related to playing of the corresponding media file (forexample, a video, music, or the like), in response to the user input(force touch).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing functionsdistinguished by distinguishing user inputs in an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 701, the controller 180 (for example,a processor) of the electronic device 100 may detect a user inputthrough the system button region 200. For example, the controller 180may distinguish an input by means of the system button region 200 and aninput by means of another region based on a location on the touch screen130 that is touched by a user's finger.

In operation 703, the controller 180 may determine whether the userinput is a force touch or a touch. According to an embodiment, when thecontroller 180 detects a first sensing value by the touch detector 133and then detects a second sensing value by the force detector 135according to a user input (for example, touch input→force input), thecontroller 180 may determine the user input as a force touch. Accordingto an embodiment, when the controller 180 detects the first sensingvalue by the touch detector 133 and then does not detect the secondsensing value according to a user input (for example, a touch input, nota force input), the controller 180 may determine the user input as atouch.

When it is determined that the user input is a force touch in operation703 (Yes in operation 703), the controller 180 may determine whether theforce touch is changed in operation 705. For example, the user may inputa force touch and then may move the force touch (for example, moving theforce touch while holding the force input (for example, a force drag ora force move), or may release the force input and may move a touch input(for example, a drag or a move). Alternatively, the user may input aforce touch and then hold the force touch for more than a predeterminedtime (for example, a long press while holding the force input (forexample, a force long press)), or may release the force input and hold atouch input (long press). The controller 180 may determine a change inthe force touch as described above until the force touch is releasedafter detecting the force touch.

When the force touch is not changed in operation 705 (No in operation705) (for example, the force touch is released after being inputted),the controller 180 may process a first function by the correspondingsystem button in operation 707. It is assumed that the force touch isreleased right after the force touch is inputted. According to anembodiment, when the system button on which the force touch is detectedis the system button 210 for viewing a recent list, the controller 180may execute the recent list viewing function in response to the forcetouch. According to an embodiment, when the system button on which theforce touch is detected is the system button 220 for returning to thehome screen, the controller 180 may execute the home screen returningfunction in response to the force touch.

When the force touch is changed in operation 705 (Yes in operation 705),the controller 180 may process a second function by a correspondingsystem button in operation 709. For example, it is assumed that thechange in the force touch is the force long press. According to anembodiment, when the system button on which the force touch is detectedis the system button 210 for viewing a recent list, the controller 180may execute a split screen viewing function, which is a second functionof the system button 210, rather than the recent list viewing function,in response to the force touch. According to an embodiment, when thesystem button on which the force touch is detected is the system button220 for returning to the home screen, the controller 180 may execute avoice recognition function which is a second function of the systembutton 220, rather than the home screen returning function, in responseto the force touch.

When it is determined that the user input is a touch in operation 703(No in operation 703), the controller 180 may determine whether thetouch is changed in operation 711. For example, the user may input thetouch and then may move the touch (for example, a drag or a move).Alternatively, the user may input the touch and then may hold the touchfor more than a predetermined time (for example, a long press) Thecontroller 180 may determine a change in the touch as described aboveuntil the touch is released after the touch is detected.

When the touch is not changed in operation 711 (No in operation 711)(for example, the touch is released after being inputted), thecontroller 180 may process a third function associated with anapplication by the touch in operation 713. For example, it is assumedthat the touch is released right after the touch is inputted. Accordingto an embodiment, the controller 180 may identify an object rather thanthe system button in the region where the touch is detected, and mayexecute a third function corresponding to the object. According to anembodiment, when the object includes a link, the controller 180 maycontrol to display a web page according to the link. According to anembodiment, when the object is a function button (a photographingbutton), the controller 180 may control to execute a function (forexample, photographing) mapped onto the function button.

When the touch is changed in operation 711 (Yes in operation 711), thecontroller 180 may process a fourth function associated with theapplication by the touch in operation 715. For example, it is assumedthat the change in the touch is the long press. According to anembodiment, the controller 180 may identify an object rather than thesystem button in the region where the touch is detected, and may executethe fourth function corresponding to the object. According to anembodiment, when the object includes a link, the controller 180 maycontrol to display an additional option menu (for example, opening alink, opening a new page, copying URL, storing), which is the fourthfunction, in association with the link, rather than executing a webpage. According to an embodiment, when the object is a function button,the controller 180 may control to execute the fourth function (forexample, continuous shooting) in association with the function button,rather than executing the third function (for example, shooting) mappedonto the function button.

According to various embodiments as described above, when an executionscreen is displayed based on a full screen, and a user input on anobject of the execution screen overlapping the system button of thesystem button region 200 is detected, the electronic device maydistinguish the user input and may process a system function by thesystem button or an application function by the object. For example,when the user input is a force touch on an overlapping location of thesystem button, the electronic device may execute the system functionbased on the system button, and, when the user input is inputted as atouch, the electronic device may execute an application function basedon the object of the application on the corresponding location. Inaddition, according to various embodiments, the electronic device maydistinguish user input methods (for example, whether the input ischanged) regarding the force touch and the touch, and may executedifferent functions in response to the respective inputs (for example,the force touch, the touch) according to the distinguished user inputmethods. According to an embodiment, the electronic device may operateby distinguishing between the first function and the second functionaccording to the input method of the force touch, and may operate bydistinguishing between the third function and the fourth functionaccording to the input method of the touch.

As described above, operating method of the electronic device 100according to various embodiments may include: displaying an applicationon a full screen; detecting a user input through a touch region (forexample, the system button region 200) comprising a system button 210,220, 230 on the full screen; identifying the user input; and executing asystem function by means of the system button 210, 220, 230 or anapplication function according to the user input on the touch regioncomprising the system button 210, 220, 230.

According to various embodiments, identifying the user input may includedetecting the user input by means of the touch region on the display,and, in response to the user input on the touch region being detected,determining whether the user input is a first input for the systemfunction or a second input for the application function.

According to various embodiments, executing the function may includecomprises, when the user input is the first input, executing the systemfunction corresponding to a system button of a location where the userinput is detected, and displaying a relevant screen, and, when the userinput is the second input, executing the application function based onan object of the location where the user input is detected, anddisplaying a relevant screen.

According to various embodiments, identifying the user input mayinclude, when a first sensing value by the touch detector 133 isdetected and a second sensing value by the force detector 135 isdetected, identifying the user input as the first input based on thesecond sensing value.

According to various embodiments, identifying the user input mayinclude, when the first sensing value by the touch detector 133 isdetected, identifying the user input as the second input based on thefirst sensing value.

According to various embodiments, the system button may include one ormore software buttons to view a recent list, to return to a home screen,or to return to a previous screen, and may be provided on the touchregion transparently or translucently.

According to various embodiments, displaying the execution screen mayinclude, in response to execution of the application being detected,determining whether the application is in a mode in which theapplication operates on the full screen of a display, or in a mode inwhich the application operates on a partial screen of the display.

According to various embodiments, the operating method of the electronicdevice may further include showing or hiding the system button based onvarious inputs.

According to various embodiments, executing the system function mayfurther include: when the user input on the touch region comprising thesystem button is a force touch, determining to process an operation bymeans of the system button in response to the user input; and executinganother system function by means one system button in response to aninput method of the user input on the system button.

According to various embodiments, executing the system function mayinclude: determining whether the force touch is changed; when the forcetouch is not changed, executing a first function by means of the systembutton; and, when the force touch is changed, executing a secondfunction by means of the system button.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in thespecification and the drawings are suggested for easy explanation andunderstanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, andare not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted asincluding all changes or changed forms derived based on the technicalidea of the present disclosure, in addition to embodiments disclosedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a display; amemory; and a processor electrically connected with the display and thememory, wherein the processor is configured to: display a system buttonin a touch region of the display, in response to execution of anapplication based on a full screen mode, display an execution screen ofthe application without the system button, and while the executionscreen of the application is displayed without displaying the systembutton: in response to detection of a user input through the touchregion, determine whether the user input corresponds to a first input ora second input based on a sensing value associated with the user input,in response to a determination that the user input corresponds to thefirst input, execute a system function by means of the system button,and in response to a determination that the user input corresponds tothe second input, execute an application function according to the userinput on the touch region, wherein the sensing value comprises a firstsensing value and a second sensing value, and when the first sensingvalue by a touch detector is detected and the second sensing value by aforce detector is detected, the processor is configured to identify theuser input as the first input based on the second sensing value.
 2. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein, when the sensing value by thetouch detector is detected, the processor is configured to identify theuser input as the second input based on the first sensing value.
 3. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the system button comprises one ormore software buttons to view a recent list, to return to a home screen,or to return to a previous screen.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein, in response to the execution of the application being detected,the processor is configured to determine whether the application is inthe full screen mode or in a mode in which the application operates on apartial screen of the display.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to control to show or hide thesystem button based on various inputs, while the execution screen of theapplication is displayed.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein,when the user input on the touch region comprising the system button isa force touch, the processor is configured to determine to process anoperation by means of the system button in response to the user input,and to execute another system function by means of one system button inresponse to an input method of the user input on the system button. 7.The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured todetermine whether the force touch is changed, and, when the force touchis not changed, the processor is configured to execute a first functionby means of the system button, and, when the force touch is changed, toexecute a second function by means of the system button.
 8. An operatingmethod of an electronic device, the method comprising: displaying asystem button in a touch region of a display of the electronic device;displaying an execution screen of an application without displaying thesystem button; and while the execution screen of the application isdisplayed without displaying the system button: in response to detectionof a user input through the touch region, determining whether the userinput corresponds to a first input or a second input based on a sensingvalue associated with the user input, in response to a determinationthat the user input corresponds to the first input, executing a systemfunction by means of the system button, and in response to adetermination that the user input corresponds to the second input,executing an application function according to the user input on thetouch region wherein the sensing value comprises a first sensing valueand a second sensing value, and wherein identifying the user inputcomprises: when the first sensing value by a touch detector is detectedand the second sensing value by a force detector is detected,identifying the user input as the first input based on the secondsensing value; and when the first sensing value by the touch detector isdetected without the second sensing value detected by the forcedetector, identifying the user input as the second input based on thefirst sensing value.
 9. The operating method of claim 8, whereindisplaying the full screen comprises, in response to the execution ofthe application being detected, determining whether the application isin the full screen mode or in a mode in which the application operateson a partial screen of the display.
 10. The operating method of claim 8,wherein executing the system function comprises: when the user input onthe touch region comprising the system button is a force touch,determining to process an operation by means of the system button inresponse to the user input; and executing another system function bymeans one system button in response to an input method of the user inputon the system button, and wherein executing another system functioncomprises: determining whether the force touch is changed; when theforce touch is not changed, executing a first function by means of thesystem button; and when the force touch is changed, executing a secondfunction by means of the system button.